Westwood Arcade

B.Y. Academy ca. 1895; courtesy of BYU Univ. Archives

J. D. C. Young at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY., courtesy of RPI Archives

In 1994, I completed my Masters of Science degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Art & Architecture.  My thesis title: “The early life and career of Joseph Don Carlos Young (1855-1938) : a study of Utah’s first institutionally trained architect to 1884.”   Click here if you are interested in reading my thesis.

I was (am) very interested  in 19th century American architecture, city planning and design history.  Also, because of my involvement with the Brigham Young Academy Foundation (Provo, Ut.), which I helped found with Shirley Paxman and Meryl Astrup in 1985; and because I aided in the discovery and preservation of Young’s architectural archive in 1986-88 (two separate but related lots) while working for the LDS Church Historical Department, I wanted to write my thesis on J.D.C. Young and the Brigham Young Academy Bldg. (Provo, Ut., designed in 1884, completed in 1892).  I also wanted to survey Mormon architecture and aesthetics during the same period (3rd and 4th quarters of the 19th c.). If you have any questions or comments please let me know.

The chapter headings are: (1) Education and Early Life (1855-1979); (2) “Attending to His Private Business”: The Self Training & Practicum of J.D.C. Young (1879-1884); (3) Early Career, Commissions & Patronage (1881-1884); and (4) Designing the Brigham Young Academy Building (1884).

Recently I was asked to serve on Springville’s Library Board which I consider a real honor.

With a new library building in the making, Springville’s library board, ad hoc library design group, city council and various other contributors, have spent hundreds of hours on this proposal (including some serious public involvement).   The funds have been procured, the building’s program has been written and the architect’s plans have been nearly completed.  However recently, the Springville Herald has urged a redesign to better match the new fire station and city building which I believe is unnecessary, and even counter to Springville’s best interest.  Why do I think this?  Continue reading Springville’s New Municipal Library Design – My Endorsement

Discussion Section: “Avoiding Not So Common Pitfalls in Donor Relations and Agreements”

CIMA (Conference of Inter-Mountain Archivists) Annual Conference, Session 2C, Friday, May 15, 2009, L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Continue reading Avoiding Not So Common Pitfalls in Donor Relations and Agreements (CIMA Conferfence Presentation Notes)

Before last months meeting I was convinced our book club was going to “crash and burn.” The club known as the “Men Who Love to Knit and the Little Dogs Who Love Them” has been in existence for a little over two years.  Every month, usually an hour or two before the appointed hour, I get a feeling of fear and dread that no one will attend.  So far, the smallest attendance has been five members, usually 8 to 10 attend, once or twice we’ve had more.  There are approximately 18 names on the books, with about five long term “no shows” we have started to call “emeritus members.”  I just don’t have the heart to take them off the list.

Last month I called Lyndia Carter, the wife of Feburary’s host D. Robert Carter, and told them not to expect more than three or four members.  I usually email members a week or two before our club night, I didn’t do this; I usually email a couple days before, this I didn’t do either; finally I “work the phones,” reminding members just before the meeting begins; this last chore never crossed my mind.

Eight attended last month including D. Robert Carter (host and presenter), Roger Layton, Bruce Bennett, John A. Taylor, Donnie Morris, Ken Warner, and two new members Ryan Nielson (a Utah County deputy from Spanish Fork) and Marcus Smith from Provo and the host of KBYU Radio’s Thinking Aloud

The last two books we have read, unintentionally, deals with genocide.  In January we read Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust (2006) by Immaculée Ilibagiza (we spent a lot of time talking about tragic process of dehumanization that seems to precede this horrific action) and this month Cheyenne Autumn (1953) by Mari Sandoz, a book that stemmed the tide of unflattering stereotypical depictions of the American Indian, and attempts to offer an Indian perspective on the destruction of the Plains Indian nation.  Collegiality, Civility and friendship rules the program, however Bob found out fast only he liked the book.

Next month — tonight– we are reading one of, if not the first, novels that started the mystery genre, The Woman in White (1860) by Wilkie Collins,

John A. Taylor, who is tonight’s host, tipped us off about Ann Cannon’s Deseret News column (01/01/09) that, in part, ponders the question: what’s it like to read a club book you really hate?

Gentleman, If you are interested in joining our club drop me a line.

I will begin working for the LDS Church Historical Department on January 26. Fortuntenly as I take on this new assignment, the LDS Church is completing a new building, designed exclusively for collecting, preserving and making availble historical materials.  To read more about this new facility see the post on I Love Libraries.

P. Bradford Westwood — I grew up in the shadow of  Y Mountain in Provo, Utah; and spent many a summer vacation in Oregon. Continue reading What Am I Doing Here?

This book club has two names (both declared publicly, accepted by some and reputed by others): “The Men Who Knit and the Little Dogs Who Love Them” (after a book found by Roger Layton, the Lee Library PR man) and “The Book Club That Must Not Be Named” (offered by John A. Taylor, after the prior name was so vehemently resisted by a member). Continue reading The Men’s Book Club

For Utah’s 2009 Archives Month (October), I reworked this presentation.  I removed the western history related correspondence and replaced these items with Mormon related correspondence, from the LDS Church History Library collection.  I also built a PowerPoint presentation that focused on: a) pre-World War II correspondence culture, b) writing utensils (quills, fountain and ball point pens),  c) writing furniture (secretaries, writing boxes, etc.), d) major 19th and 20th C. penmanship styles, e) general physical care of correspondence and f) archival supplies and suppliers. To see this presentation (without the accompanying text) click here.

Continue reading Oh, For the Love of Letters! Collecting Personal Handwritten Correspondence

The A. Dean Larsen Book Collecting Conference (March 26-27, 2009)  www.lib.byu.edu/adl

Since 2003 the Harold B. Library at Brigham Young University has hosts America’s only conference created specifically for collectors of rare library materials.  Yes, there are lots of book fairs and festivals, history of book conferences, and a growing number of educational venues created for professionals; there is not, however a conference focusing specifically on the needs, interests and education of rare book collectors.  Here is where the A. Dean Larsen Book Collecting Conference fits into the world!

Continue reading The A. Dean Larsen Book Collecting Conference (March 26-27, 2009)

Provo — Historic Preservation and Historic Sites

Below is a larger version of an article co-written with Stephen Hales.  To read the reduced and published version see:  Provo Daily Herald (Monday, 29 September 2008)- Local Opinion: Efforts Showcase Value of Provo history by Brad Westwood and Stephen A. Hales

Provo has received the designation as one of America’s Preserve America Cities (http://www.preserveamerica.gov/overview.html).  Why, because of the city’s efforts to preserve historic and cultural resources.   Provo was also recognized because it has tried to make history economically useful as well.

Continue reading Provo — Historic Preservation & Historic Sites